Representative Sutton Speaks in Support of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act

September 16, 2009

Floor Statement

I rise in strong support of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, and I want to commend my friend, the Chairman George Miller, for his great work and leadership on this and so many issues.

Investing in education is one of the most important things we can do to grow and strengthen our workforce and secure our well-being as a nation. This bill makes historic investments in our economic future by improving early education opportunities and making college more affordable and all at no taxpayer expense.

The economic downturn has made a growing college affordability crisis worse for America's students and families, but this bill will help our students and families by increasing the maximum Pell Grant scholarship and targets $6.8 billion to community colleges like Lorain County Community College in my district.

This transforms the way the programs operate, guaranteeing students low interest loans. By cutting out the middleman, this legislation will save taxpayers $87 billion over 10 years.

It pays for itself with $77 billion in returns, $10 billion to deficit reduction. I yield back.